How to Protect Yourself from Check Fraud During Tax Season

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This month, millions of Americans will send their annual income tax payments to the IRS, a fact not lost on fraudsters and thieves who are hoping to get a hold of your check and reuse it for their own financial benefit.

Here are ten tips to help protect yourself from check fraud:

When writing out your check, use permanent ink vs. a pencil to prevent fraudsters from being able to change your information.
When adding the payee’s name on the check, make sure to fill out the whole line on the check, or draw a line to the end, so no one can add an additional name.
Fill out the dollar amount in numbers and be sure to use the right punctuation that matches the written amount. For example, One hundred dollars, $100.00.
Sign your checks the same way every time.
Avoid writing just the word “cash” on a check if you don’t know the name of the business or person you are trying to pay, as this can make it easier for someone to deposit your check if it is lost or stolen. Remember, checks may take a longer time to process, so consider using other traceable payment methods, such as Zelle or electronic payments.
Monitor your account online to ensure your check is cashed and that no information was altered – for example, is the payee and amount are what you originally wrote? If not, contact your bank immediately.

Make sure you order your checks from a trusted and reliable source, such as through your bank.
When mailing a check, use only monitored and safe drop off places, or consider sending from your local post office.
Always store your check book in a safe place and don’t leave it out in public.
To help protect your account and monitor your transactions, sign up for alerts through your bank’s mobile app or website. By checking your accounts frequently, you can monitor transactions, see images of a deposited check to confirm accuracy and find copies of your statements. If you spot a suspicious transaction, be sure to immediately contact your bank for help.